Proper Nail Care: Beauty Secrets

After a nail salon session, we admire the neat and beautiful fingers. Unfortunately, they can’t look like this all the time if you don’t visit a manicurist every day. The rest of the time, we ourselves must provide nail care at home, maintaining their health and attractive appearance.

Nail care at home is not a myth. Every woman can learn to perform simple procedures on her own. AdmiGram.com will tell you everything you need to know about nail care at home. It’s not difficult at all; in fact, it’s very beneficial!

Proper nail care: beauty secrets

The structure of the natural nail

Let’s start with the theory and take a look at what a nail consists of:

The nail plate (the part that is covered with polish), which is the visible part of the nail, is actually non-living. It consists of keratin, a hard substance similar to porcelain enamel, and is located in the nail bed.
The nail bed is protected from possible damage and infections by a skin roller, or cuticle.
Matrix. The most important part of the nail. This is the intercellular material at the base of the nail bed, from which the nail itself is formed. Sometimes, the matrix shows through as a white crescent. This is where the living nail cells are, and they eventually transition to the nail plate.

What else do you need to know about nails?

The structure of nails is determined by genetics, but it can be influenced by external factors (such as environmental conditions, diet, improper care, and work-related factors). To maintain nail health, your diet needs to be well-balanced, providing the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Nails grow on average about 2 millimeters per month, so it takes about six months to grow a nail from the base to the tip. For nail care, it’s recommended to do a manicure every two weeks. Where and how to get a manicure is a personal choice. It can be done at a beauty salon, by a friend who’s skilled in it, or as a DIY procedure.

If you enjoy doing your own manicures or want to try, you’ll need a special manicure set. This set includes several types of files, large and small nippers, curved-end scissors, a blunt spatula, and an orange stick. Of course, it’s important to keep all these tools clean: boil them, wipe them with alcohol, and keep them covered.

How to care for natural nails?

Follow these 10 rules, and your nails will always be in great condition:

Matrix nourishment: Give your nails a nourishing massage. This will strengthen your nails, improve metabolism, soften the cuticles, and give your hands a well-groomed look. Use a nail cream for this purpose.
Softening: Soak your hands in a warm bath with a foamy product (liquid soap or a classic manicure soak). This will soften the rough skin around your nails and act as a muscle relaxant for your hands.
Cuticle removal: You can either use the traditional method (cuticle trimming) or special cuticle removal products.
Moisturize your hands with cream: Don’t forget to massage the cuticles as well. It’s best to choose a cream in consultation with a cosmetologist.
High-quality cosmetics: Nail polish remover should not contain acetone, as acetone can excessively dry out the nail plate.
Trusted nail polish: Sometimes certain nail polishes may not be suitable for your nails. Stick to brands that have stood the test of time.
Nutrient masks: It’s beneficial to apply lemon juice, cranberry juice, blackcurrant, or red currant juice to your nail plates.
Watch out for fungal infections: At the first sign of suspicion of a fungal infection, consult a doctor immediately.
Use gloves: Whenever you’re cleaning at home, gardening, or working with chemicals, always wear gloves.
Proper nutrition: Your diet should be balanced and varied, as it not only affects the health of your nails but your overall well-being.

What should be in your diet to keep your nails healthy?

Your diet should include the following vitamins:

Vitamin A strengthens nails and can be found in liver, oils, greens, tomatoes, and carrots.
Vitamin E nourishes and acts as an antioxidant, found in vegetable oil and sunflower seeds.
B vitamins are essential for nail growth and can be found in cabbage, egg yolks, and sprouted wheat grains.
Iodine improves nail growth and can be found in seaweed and spinach.
Silicon influences nail elasticity and strength and can be found in various vegetables.
Calcium strengthens nails and gives them hardness, found in dairy products.
Iron is essential for the structure and shape of the nail.
Sulfur prevents inflammatory processes and is crucial for nail formation, found in cabbage, onions, and cucumbers.

How to care for extensions nails?

Nails after extension require special and gentle care, and you should definitely discuss this with your manicure master. First, you need to get used to performing ordinary household actions with these nails: buttoning buttons, opening car doors, pressing keys, and much more.

The most important thing is not to use them as tools: you shouldn’t unscrew anything, scrape something off, or open packages with them. It’s also important to keep the nails clean and wash them with a special brush. Other rules are the same as for natural nails.

How to care for artificial nails?

If you visit a salon for artificial nails, be sure to follow the advice and recommendations of the nail technician. Each type of artificial nails is a separate topic and requires separate detailed articles to explain the nuances of care.

However, it usually comes down to regularly moisturizing your nails and cuticles with special creams and protecting your nails from impacts. This is the most important thing. The rest of the rules are the same as for natural nails.

How to strengthen natural nails?

Nutrient masks from juices

Nails that often break should be strengthened with lemon, currant, or cranberry juice. This is done by simply applying the chosen juice to the nail plate for 30 minutes. Repeat the procedure daily for two to three weeks, only then will you see results.

Nutrient masks for nails

Nutrient masks soften the skin around the nail and improve blood circulation in this area, giving the nail a healthy and beautiful appearance. The simplest option is to apply a moisturizing hand cream with vitamins A, D, and E to the fingertips and nail bed. This procedure should be done daily before bedtime for a whole month.

Nail bath with sea salt

This bath is the easiest to prepare. Start by taking 1 tablespoon of sea salt and dissolve it in a glass of warm water. Then simply soak your fingers in the solution for 20 minutes. It’s advisable to take a sea salt bath every other day for three weeks.

Nail bath with olive oil

This bath requires nothing but warmed olive oil. You can also heat it by placing it in the microwave for 5-10 seconds. The olive oil bath should be taken for no more than 15 minutes. The course lasts for 2 months, with one bath session per week.

image on top: Jason Yoder / Unsplash